Brooklyn mayor eyeing move to Chagrin Valley Radio Dispatch

BROOKLYN, Ohio -- After spending the last three years with the Parma Regional Dispatch Center, Brooklyn appears ready to move its police and fire dispatch services.

In an effort to allow city officials time to review the decision, Mayor Katie Gallagher recently added a contract with Chagrin Valley Radio Dispatch to the City Council agenda.

"Chagrin Valley Radio Dispatch is a council of governments, so each city has a vote," Gallagher said. "We would be a member participant. That's not what we have with Parma. With Chagrin Valley, we'd have an equal vote as any other community involved.

"Having that vote is important to the city of Brooklyn in preserving what we think is best for the services here. You have to be voted into the council of governments, but before that can happen you have to pass legislation in regards to the contract. We're just starting this process," Gallagher said.

If Brooklyn joins Chagrin Valley Dispatch, odds are it may be out of the new Brecksville Police Station. Set to be operational this fall, the Cuyahoga Valley Emergency Dispatch Center is a part of Chagrin Valley Radio Dispatch.

The move requires a $288,000 buy-in cost, as well as a $40,915 monthly fee. Brooklyn's initial two-year Parma Regional Dispatch Center contract was for $18,000 per month for the first 11 months and $14,000 for the 12th month.

Last year, the fee was increased to $20,002 per month. The city recently signed a new one-year deal -- which jumped to $41,157 per month -- that ends July 31, 2019.

"Parma changed their rates from the initial contract," Gallagher said. "The initial formula included call volume, population and property value. The later contract was based only on call volume.

"In Brooklyn, we pride ourselves on a variety of services, such as vacation checks and community outreach. Our officers call in their locations for these supplementary services as a safety measure, which is counted towards our call volume. With Chagrin Valley, those aren't considered calls," she said.

The mayor said Brooklyn must provide a six-month notice to Parma if it intends to leave the contract. On a side note, Gallagher said Parma was also considering the possibility of its Parma Regional Dispatch Center joining Chagrin Valley Radio Dispatch.

"We've had discussion with Chagrin Valley to see if there are opportunities with our com center and their operation," Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter said. "Ultimately, we will look for partnership opportunities, but from our perspective and Chagrin's perspective, it's not feasible for our Dispatch Center to join with them."

He added: "I know the mayor of Brooklyn will always do what's in the best interest of her community. I know the city has been looking at options for dispatching moving forward beyond the extension they signed with us."

The Parma Regional Dispatch Center also serves Parma Heights and Brook Park. The latter plans on moving its dispatch services to Strongsville this fall.

As for Parma Heights, Police Chief Steve Scharschmidt said the city is under contract with the Parma Regional Dispatch Center until July 2019.

"We're always looking to improve service for our residents and also for our officers," Scharschmidt said. "It was an adjustment when we regionalized, but (we) have worked out most of the issues."